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Key nanomaterials
The MONA roadmap identifies key nanomaterials having the strongest impact for nanophotonics. They are:
• Quantum dots and wires in Si, III-V and II-VI
• Plasmonic nanostructures
• High-index-contrast Si and III-V nanostructures
• Carbon nanotubes
• Integration of electronics with photonics
• Nanoparticles in glasses or polymers
Equipment and processes
Equipment and processes are crucial for the improvement of the performance of nanophotonic devices.
• The processes that will have the highest potential impact on nanophotonics and at the same time
have potential for mass production are MOCVD, CNT CVD, colloidal synthesis, nanophosphor
fabrication, sol-gel synthesis, OVPD, UV lithography, nanoimprint and etching.
• The types of equipment and processes with the broadest field of applications are MOCVD, MBE
and colloidal chemistry as bottom up technologies and UV lithography, e-beam lithography
and nanoimprint lithography as top-down technologies.
The key recommendations of MONA are:
• Provide support services for displays such as R&D and process equipment (CVD for carbon
nanotubes for example), since strong European competencies exist in the field of carbon
nanotubes, glass substrates and display systems. Moreover, Europe could benefit from OLED rigid
display development by providing R&D services, materials and equipment. There is also room for
innovation on flexible displays which are not industrialized yet.
• Develop quantum-dot technology for solar cells. The photovoltaics market is growing.
• Maintain R&D on visible and infrared-sensing in various application areas. There are industrial
players in Europe (STM, e2v). Moreover, in infrared sensing, Europe has key players like Sofradir.
These companies could be interested in III-V quantum dots as an alternative to MCT and
conventional QWIPs.
• Intensified R&D for Lighting. There is a large market for nanophotonics so securing a successful
industrial development appears as an important objective. Moreover, the presence of two major
European players (Osram, Philips) is a major asset.
• Maintain R&D for datacom/telecom (Bookham, 3S Photonics and many start-ups), specifically for
further integration of optical and electronic chips.
• Europe should maintain its R&D on microstructured fibers, II-VI quantum dots and plasmonics for
nanophotonic-based sensors (for example surface plasmon resonance instrumentation has been
successfully commercialized by Biacore in Sweden).
• Maintain R&D competence in optical interconnects. This effort should be continued in order to
compete with the USA where DARPA, big microelectronics companies (Intel, IBM) and start-ups
(Luxtera, Kotura) are already very active.
Click on the table below to download Mona roadmap.
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